Anniversary of gulf spill

April 20, 2011 8:29 AM

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In this April 21, 2010 file photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, fire boat response crews spray water on the blazing remnants of BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this April 21, 2010 file photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, fire boat response crews spray water on the blazing remnants of BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the ... more

Photo: AP

In this April 21, 2010 file photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard,... Photo-947917.14540 - seattlepi.com

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This April 21, 2010, file photo shows oil in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, as a large plume of smoke rises from fires on BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

This April 21, 2010, file photo shows oil in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, as a large plume of smoke rises from fires on BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. ... more

Photo: AP

This April 21, 2010, file photo shows oil in the Gulf of Mexico,... Photo-947914.14540 - seattlepi.com

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In this July 12, 2010, image from video made available by BP PLC, oil flows out of the top of the transition spool, which was placed into the gushing wellhead and will house the new containment cap, at the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this July 12, 2010, image from video made available by BP PLC, oil flows out of the top of the transition spool, which was placed into the gushing wellhead and will house the new containment cap, at the site ... more

Photo: AP

In this July 12, 2010, image from video made available by BP PLC,... Photo-947921.14540 - seattlepi.com

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This May 5, 2010, file picture shows a plume of oil as a shrimp boat uses booms to collect oil in the waters of Chandeleur Sound, La. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. less

This May 5, 2010, file picture shows a plume of oil as a shrimp boat uses booms to collect oil in the waters of Chandeleur Sound, La. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform ... more

Photo: AP

This May 5, 2010, file picture shows a plume of oil as a shrimp... Photo-947913.14540 - seattlepi.com

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In this Sunday, June 27, 2010, file picture, a boat pulls absorbent materials along the surface of the Gulf of Mexico among large streaks of oil from the nearby BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill close to shore in waters southeast of Venice, La. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this Sunday, June 27, 2010, file picture, a boat pulls absorbent materials along the surface of the Gulf of Mexico among large streaks of oil from the nearby BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill close to shore ... more

In this July 22, 2010, file picture, a swell partially obscures the Development Driller II, left, and Development Driller III, which are drilling the relief wells, at BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill site in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this July 22, 2010, file picture, a swell partially obscures the Development Driller II, left, and Development Driller III, which are drilling the relief wells, at BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill site in ... more

In this July 31, 201.0 file picture, a ribbon of oil lines the bottom stalks of marsh grass at low tide in a cove in Barataria Bay on the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. less

In this July 31, 201.0 file picture, a ribbon of oil lines the bottom stalks of marsh grass at low tide in a cove in Barataria Bay on the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater ... more

Photo: AP

In this July 31, 201.0 file picture, a ribbon of oil lines the... Photo-947920.14540 - seattlepi.com

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In this June 15, 2010, file photo, a member of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's staff wearing a glove reaches into thick oil on the surface of the northern regions of Barataria Bay in Plaquemines Parish, La. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. less

In this June 15, 2010, file photo, a member of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's staff wearing a glove reaches into thick oil on the surface of the northern regions of Barataria Bay in Plaquemines Parish, La. An ... more

Photo: AP

In this June 15, 2010, file photo, a member of Louisiana Gov. Bobby... Photo-947923.14540 - seattlepi.com

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In this June, 7, 2010, file picture, oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill floats on the water with clouds reflected in the sheen on Barataria Bay off the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. less

In this June, 7, 2010, file picture, oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill floats on the water with clouds reflected in the sheen on Barataria Bay off the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at ... more

In this May 28, 2010, file picture, workers use a boom to collect oil in Pass a Loutre, La. spilled from BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this May 28, 2010, file picture, workers use a boom to collect oil in Pass a Loutre, La. spilled from BP's Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 ... more

Photo: AP

In this May 28, 2010, file picture, workers use a boom to collect... Photo-947911.14540 - seattlepi.com

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This June 6, 2010, file picture shows a small oil-covered fish on the water's surface at Bay Long off the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the Gulf of Mexico. less

This June 6, 2010, file picture shows a small oil-covered fish on the water's surface at Bay Long off the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon offshore platform killed ... more

In this June 3, 2010, file picture, a Brown Pelican tries to raise its wings as it sits on the beach at East Grand Terre Island along the Louisiana coast after being drenched in oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this June 3, 2010, file picture, a Brown Pelican tries to raise its wings as it sits on the beach at East Grand Terre Island along the Louisiana coast after being drenched in oil from the BP Deepwater ... more

Photo: AP

In this June 3, 2010, file picture, a Brown Pelican tries to raise... Photo-947909.14540 - seattlepi.com

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In this May 9, 2010, file picture, an oil-soaked bird struggles against the side of the HOS Iron Horse supply vessel at the site of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. An April 20, 2010 explosion at the offshore platform killed 11 men, and the subsequent leak released an estimated 172 million gallons of petroleum into the gulf. less

In this May 9, 2010, file picture, an oil-soaked bird struggles against the side of the HOS Iron Horse supply vessel at the site of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of ... more

Photo issued Wednesday, by pressure group Liberate Tate as they demonstrate at the Tate Britain art gallery in London against oil company BP's sponsorship of arts institutions like Tate Britain, and to mark the one-year anniversary since the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico. Campaigners were dressed in black as they protest against art being funded by the oil giant, in the middle of the London gallery. (AP Photo / Amy Scaife, Liberate Tate) less

Photo issued Wednesday, by pressure group Liberate Tate as they demonstrate at the Tate Britain art gallery in London against oil company BP's sponsorship of arts institutions like Tate Britain, and to mark the ... more

A cross with the words "promises made," referring to promises made by BP PLC and government officials responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, stands in front of a pile of crosses symbolizing things that were impacted by the spill in a front yard in Grand Isle, La., Wednesday. One year after the nation's worst offshore oil spill began, solemn ceremonies will mark the disaster Wednesday and underscore the delicate healing that is only now taking shape. less

A cross with the words "promises made," referring to promises made by BP PLC and government officials responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, stands in front of a pile of crosses symbolizing things that ... more

Leroy Sebring of Van Buren, Ark., walks with his fishing gear while vacationing in Grand Isle, La., Wednesday. Grand Isle is a coastal community centered on fishing and tourism that was heavily impacted by last year's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. One year after the nation's worst offshore oil spill began, solemn ceremonies will mark the disaster Wednesday and underscore the delicate healing that is only now taking shape. less

Leroy Sebring of Van Buren, Ark., walks with his fishing gear while vacationing in Grand Isle, La., Wednesday. Grand Isle is a coastal community centered on fishing and tourism that was heavily impacted by last ... more

Community leaders and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Gulf Restoration Network, hold a sunrise candlelight event commemorating today's one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in New Orleans, Wednesday. less

Community leaders and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Gulf Restoration Network, hold a sunrise candlelight event commemorating today's one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil ... more

Photo: AP

Community leaders and environmental groups, including the Sierra... Photo-947915.14540 - seattlepi.com

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Susan Daniel participates in a prayer vigil in foggy Orange Beach, Ala., Wednesday for those who suffered following the Deepwater Horizon incident.

Susan Daniel participates in a prayer vigil in foggy Orange Beach, Ala., Wednesday for those who suffered following the Deepwater Horizon incident.

A shore bird stands on a beach as waves approach the shore Wednesday in Grand Isle, La., a coastal community centered on fishing and tourism that was heavily impacted by last year's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. One year after the nation's worst offshore oil spill began, solemn ceremonies will mark the disaster Wednesday and underscore the delicate healing that is only now taking shape. less

A shore bird stands on a beach as waves approach the shore Wednesday in Grand Isle, La., a coastal community centered on fishing and tourism that was heavily impacted by last year's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. ... more

Photo: AP

A shore bird stands on a beach as waves approach the shore... Photo-947918.14540 - seattlepi.com

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Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams team leader Todd Farrar of Baton Rouge and other team members use a shovel to search for oil in the surf in Perdido Key, Fla., Tuesday. Tar balls continue to wash ashore a year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. At right is Kristen Hendrix of Dallas. At rear is Angel Calberon of San Juan. less

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams team leader Todd Farrar of Baton Rouge and other team members use a shovel to search for oil in the surf in Perdido Key, Fla., Tuesday. Tar balls continue to wash ashore a ... more

Madison Smith of Cincinnati lies in the sun on the beach in Perdido Key, Fla.,Tuesday as oil spill cleanup workers search for tar balls on the beach a year after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. BP's Macondo well blew out a year ago Wednesday, killing 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon rig about 100 miles south of Mobile off the coast of Louisiana. Oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico for three months before the company could stop the nation's worst offshore spill. less

Madison Smith of Cincinnati lies in the sun on the beach in Perdido Key, Fla.,Tuesday as oil spill cleanup workers search for tar balls on the beach a year after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. BP's Macondo ... more

Photo: AP

Madison Smith of Cincinnati lies in the sun on the beach in Perdido... Photo-947904.14540 - seattlepi.com